Three-dimensional annotations for street view data

The present invention relates to annotating images.

Computer systems exist that store and display images. These images can include photographs of three-dimensional objects such as buildings. The displayed images may be geo-coded to correspond to locations on a map. In addition, annotations may be used to provide information about the images. As an example, an annotation might include text that identifies a business associated with a particular building shown in an image.

What are needed are new methods and systems that facilitate the creation of annotations for images.

The present invention relates to annotating images. In an embodiment, the present invention enables users to create annotations corresponding to three-dimensional objects while viewing two-dimensional images. In one embodiment, this is achieved by projecting a selecting object (such as, for example, a bounding box) onto a three-dimensional model created from a plurality of two-dimensional images. The selecting object is input by a user while viewing a first image corresponding to a portion of the three-dimensional model. A location corresponding to the projection on the three-dimensional model is determined, and content entered by the user while viewing the first image is associated with the location. The content is stored together with the location information to form an annotation. The annotation can be retrieved and displayed together with other images corresponding to the location.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example annotation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates using an image to determine a location of an annotation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates displaying the annotation of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for creating and displaying annotations according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for creating a three-dimensional model from image data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-C are diagrams that illustrate finding matching features according to the method of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-7 are diagrams that illustrate determining a point based on a pair of matching features according to the method in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 8A-B are diagrams that illustrate a plurality of points determined according to the method of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 9A-C are diagrams that illustrate determining a surface based on a plurality of points according to the method of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a diagram that illustrates a system for creating and displaying annotations according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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Computer graphics processing, operator interface processing, and selective visual display systems

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